PROBATE ADMINISTRATION ATTORNEY

At NORTHLAND ELDER LAW we are committed to helping seniors and associated families with their probate administration needs. We have helped hundreds of clients protect their assets. Located in Liberty Missouri, we have over 30 years of experience, and provide legal services throughout Missouri. We can help you. Call us now for an experienced consultation at (816) 802-6767 or send an email to: info@northlandelderlaw.com.

Probate Administration

Probate is a legal proceeding that gives authority for a Personal Representative (also known as an Executor) to administer the estate of a person who has died, (the decedent). The responsibilities are to pay expenses, claims, taxes and any other debts owed by the decedent, and distribute the remaining estate to those who are entitled to receive it either by a Last Will & Testament, or by Missouri law.

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Probate property, also known as the Probate Estate, consists of all property owned by the decedent at death, except assets owned with another as a joint owner, or with a beneficiary designation to someone at death. For example, a bank account owned with another as joint owner will not go through probate, but rather will go to the joint owner. Another example is a bank account that has only one owner who dies, but had a “pay on death” beneficiary listed on the account, will not go through probate, but rather to the named beneficiary.

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A probate proceeding takes place in the probate court of the county where the decedent lived at their death. This is a court supervised process of legally transferring ownership of property from the decedent to those entitled to take the property. This may be a simple process or it may be disputed and drawn out. For small estates, those under $40,000, there is a simplified procedure that allows for a quick turnaround. For estates over $40,000, the process takes 6 months at a minimum, as required by law.

Probate fees and expenses are primarily determined by Missouri statute. There are court costs involved and possibly a bond required of the personal representative. A knowledgeable and experienced Northland Elder Law probate attorney can help the personal representative with the guidance and support necessary to complete the process as quickly and efficiently as possible.